DESPITE a last ditch attempt from protestors, Lewisham Council has agreed a £8.6m savings budget today.

Protestors gathered in front of Lewisham Town Hall before the Mayor and Cabinet meeting this morning to ‘mourn the loss’ of public services.

A mock funeral service was held with replica gravestones and a replica coffin. John Hamilton from Lewisham People Before Profit and the organiser of the protest donned a dog collar and conducted the service.

The savings were agreed as part of the second phase of cuts to save £88m over four years.

Originally £8.7m worth of cuts were due to be agreed, but the Mayor Sir Steve Bullock made minor amendments which were approved.

He scrapped the proposal to combine the Public Health and Nuisance Team with the Environmental Protection Team. If approved, it would have saved £425,000 over the next three years. Instead this saving will now be made up from reserves.

Thirty five councillors voted in favour of the budget, eight voted against it and two abstained from voting.